CityLife

Why Library's Chris isn't ratty!

Chris Honer, artistic director of the Library Theatre, is a happy man. 

  Not only is he directing Alan Bennett’s stage adaptation of one of his favourite stories but the future of the Library Theatre looks more secure than ever.   Immersed in rehearsals for this year’s Christmas show, Bennett’s stage adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s popular classic Wind In The Willows, Chris explains why he’s having so much fun.   “I loved this story when I was a child but I also enjoyed reading it to my children. Rehearsing the adventures of a group of such lovable characters is a delight.”   If the story’s faded in your memory since school-days, the Library Theatre will recreate Grahame’s popular tales from the riverbank as Mole abandons his spring cleaning to join Ratty, Badger and the incorrigible Mr Toad in his splendid new car on an adventure which leads to the perilous Wild Wood.   “Of course, we haven’t got the resources of the National Theatre, which first staged this production back in 1990,” Chris explains. “So this is a much simplified version of Bennett’s adaptation but we’ll have, at various times on stage, a railway engine, boats and, of course, Mr Toad’s beloved car.”   Chris has also assembled a cast of established actors, some of whom are almost Library Theatre regulars, headed by Christopher Wright, making his 12th appearance and Paul Barnhill, best known as Brookside’s villain Josh Carter, as respectively Toad and Ratty. There’s a couple of graduates from the  Manchester Metropolitan University as well as two sets of four students playing a variety of roles during the six-week run.   “It’s important these students enjoy the experience of professional theatre before they enter the profession,” Chris adds.    “Thanks to commercial sponsorship, we also have a scheme called Adopt An Actor, where cast members write a weekly letter to a class of a primary school or a senior citizens’ group. reporting on progress.    “They’ll then come and see the show, meet the actors and we build up a relationship in the community.”   Chris is quick to praise Liz Postlethwaite and her team who generate much work in the community to keep the presence of the company active.    “We’ve recently started a community theatre project in Hulme and Moss Side, supporting a wide age range to explore their creativity, and we’re also working on Manchester Lines, written by Jackie Kay, which will involve several community choirs. So it’s all happening.”   Chris is even more enthusiastic about the Library Theatre’s move in 2014 along with Cornerhouse to new premises opposite the Hacienda.    In spite of the downturn in the economic situation, the Library Theatre continues to receive financial support from Manchester City Council and the Arts Council.   “We’re extremely excited about moving into a state-of the-art building, which will house two theatres and five cinemas as well as several art galleries and space for our education projects,” Chris enthuses.    “The Lowry has made us most welcome so, until the big move, we’ll continue to provide three plays a year there, as well as a site specific performance and concentrate on our work in the community.”   But before returning to rehearsals, Chris reminds us all: “This traditional retelling of the Wind In The Willows is a delightful, funny and charming family entertainment about some lovable characters enjoying exciting adventures and dare-devil escapes with music specially composed by Jeremy Sams.”   Wind In The Willows  is at The Lowry until December 2 to January 14 (0843 208 6010, thelowry.com).